Blood Devil Ritual

Time flowed like water, swift as a shuttle.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

Over the past six months, Luo Ling had lived an exceptionally fulfilling life in Spirit Hall.

Every day, Luo Ling was either reading in the Library or cultivating in Spirit Hall's Secret Realm.

Spirit Hall's Secret Realm was even more effective than ordinary Mimicry cultivation grounds.

His Soul Power Level had already reached level 17.

In his spare time, he sparred with Hu Liena and the other two, though he was forbidden from using the Soul Body Thread after fusion.

Xie Yue and Yan had strongly insisted on that condition. Otherwise, neither of them would have agreed to fight him.

Luo Ling's combat ability also grew stronger through each sparring match.

Inside the Library.

Luo Ling arrived early once again. His understanding of Martial Souls was rapidly improving.

Luo Ling could now say with absolute certainty that Yu Xiaogang's theories had almost all been copied from Spirit Hall's materials.

He had seen the original passages of many of Yu Xiaogang's theories in the Library's books, without even a single word changed.

After coming across another piece of information that matched Yu Xiaogang's theory, Luo Ling shook his head disdainfully.

Setting down the book in his hand, he turned and headed deeper into the Library.

As he walked, a dust-covered book on the very bottom shelf caught Luo Ling's attention.

The book was entirely bound in leather, and the exposed portion was red.

Luo Ling crouched down and curiously pulled out the thick book.

After dusting off its cover, he saw several twisted characters on the red leather.

Blood Devil Ritual.

Looking at the four words on the cover, Luo Ling frowned.

Why did this feel so much like a plot from an online novel in his previous life?

Discovering some forbidden book in some Library and all that...

But since he had already transmigrated into a book himself, it did not seem all that strange.

He chuckled and shook his head, then opened the book in his hands.

Time slowly passed, and Luo Ling's expression gradually turned serious.

Ten minutes later, he closed the book, his scarlet pupils narrowing slightly.

The book called Blood Devil Ritual was indeed a forbidden text. It described using a ritual to devour the power of flesh and blood, converting it into Soul Power that could strengthen oneself.

It could even evolve one's Martial Soul.

"Looks like there will always be people looking for shortcuts, no matter where they are."

Luo Ling smiled, then carefully stored the book in his Soul Tool.

It was not because he wanted to cultivate it himself.

There was no need to think about it. This cultivation method might greatly increase one's strength, but it would certainly come with severe side effects.

He intended to leave this book for Yu Xiaogang.

"I was just worrying about how to make Yu Xiaogang lose all reputation."

"Let the rumors of him being an Evil Soul Master become reality, Yu Xiaogang. We'll meet again soon."

Muttering to himself, Luo Ling slowly left the Library.

Papal Hall, Council Hall.

As usual, Bibi Dong was handling Spirit Hall's many affairs.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance to the hall.

Chrysanthemum Douluo slowly walked in, holding a stack of documents as thick as a finger.

"Pope! I have found everything you asked me to investigate."

Chrysanthemum Douluo handed the documents to Bibi Dong, his face expressionless.

Bibi Dong raised her head, tension visible in her beautiful eyes.

She slowly accepted the documents and carefully opened them.

The Council Hall fell silent, leaving only the sound of Bibi Dong turning pages.

Rustle... rustle...

After quite some time, Chrysanthemum Douluo cautiously raised his head and looked at Bibi Dong upon the Pope Throne.

Bibi Dong remained expressionless, her head still lowered.

At the sight, Chrysanthemum Douluo's body trembled for no apparent reason. He had gathered the information himself, so he naturally knew what it contained.

It included all of Yu Xiaogang's experiences over the past few years.

He had created the Trinity Martial Soul Fusion Skill, earned the reputation of the Golden Iron Triangle, and then married one of the female Soul Masters in the group.

In the end, he discovered that the female Soul Master was actually his Cousin. He had fled directly from the wedding, leaving that woman alone to face a miserable ending.

When Chrysanthemum Douluo had uncovered this news, he had completely lost any favorable impression of Yu Xiaogang.

Because of Bibi Dong, he had once held a trace of respect for the Grandmaster who had written the Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls. But now...

Chrysanthemum Douluo only felt that Yu Xiaogang was a cowardly, irresponsible, fame-seeking hypocrite!

"Yu Xiaogang... good. Very good indeed!" Bibi Dong suddenly said. Her expression remained blank, but anyone could see that this was merely the calm before the storm.

"He found a new lover not long after leaving Spirit City. He really does tire of the old and embrace the new."

"He even abandoned that woman and fled on his own. That truly is your style."

Bibi Dong continued speaking, becoming more disappointed the further she read.

How had I ever fallen for such an irresponsible man?

He had abandoned her and left Spirit City, then abandoned the new lover he was about to marry.

Yu Xiaogang only cared about himself! Whether it was Martial Soul theory or the Trinity Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

Once something lost its value, he discarded it without hesitation.

How had I failed to see Yu Xiaogang for who he truly was?

The more Bibi Dong thought about it, the angrier she became. Unconsciously, she recalled what her disciple Luo Ling had once said.

Then, all of a sudden, she felt somewhat relieved.

Looking at the portrait of the woman named Liu Erlong in the documents, she felt both pity for her and a sense of shared misery.

Twenty years... and I was toyed with by someone like this the entire time... Bibi Dong revealed a self-mocking smile.

"Pope?" Chrysanthemum Douluo sensed that something was off and could not help speaking up.

"What is it, Chrysanthemum Elder?" Bibi Dong set the documents in her hand down as if tossing away trash, then raised her head to look at Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"Are you... all right?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked cautiously.

"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Bibi Dong let out a soft laugh. That smile was breathtakingly beautiful.

How long had it been since he had seen the Pope smile?

Chrysanthemum Douluo froze for a moment.

He could tell that this was not a forced smile, but one that came from the bottom of her heart.

"Chrysanthemum Elder," Bibi Dong said.

Chrysanthemum Douluo came back to his senses and respectfully lowered his head.

"Do not gather any more information on Yu Xiaogang in the future." Bibi Dong's smile faded, and her expression became blank once more.

"And do not mention Yu Xiaogang again. I do not want to hear that useless man's name anymore!"

"Yes!" Chrysanthemum Douluo quickly answered.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the Council Hall.

Luo Ling walked in with a somewhat surprised expression. He had heard Bibi Dong's final words.

"Teacher, did something happen?"

"Xiao Ling?" Bibi Dong looked at Luo Ling as he approached. She had no intention of hiding anything and directly handed him the documents on the table.

Over the past six months, Bibi Dong had often taught Luo Ling knowledge about Martial Souls.

She had grown increasingly fond of this disciple, even more so than Hu Liena, whom she regarded as a daughter.

Luo Ling did not stand on ceremony and directly accepted the documents.

As he slowly read through their contents, he suddenly said angrily:

"How could Yu Xiaogang be so shameless?"